Editor, The News:
Re: Pitt council still getting raises (Letters, Nov. 20).
As a past member of the citizens task force for determining council salaries in 2007 – for which the raises took effect after the following municipal election in 2009 – I am angry enough to send these comments.
Our task force was four professionals who volunteered three months of our time to investigate salaries paid to many Lower Mainland and other B.C. municipalities. We found that our council members were being significantly underpaid.
At the time, we had Deb Walters, Doug Bing, John Becker, and others on council. All of them were dedicated, selfless people who worked hard for the people of Pitt Meadows.
The task force determined that the new salaries should be based on a percentage of the average paid in Metro Vancouver.
I do not accept that most people in this community really think that council is not worth the money.
To reduce costs, why not look at consolidating the municipal administration for Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows?
The dynamics for both municipalities is the same, basically, and eventually there may be no choice but to look at this type of solution to keep costs down and maintain present services.
In the meantime, all I can say to those who consistently complain about council salaries is – walk a mile in their shoes.
Don Scott
Pitt Meadows